TNAG-0212-FCO40-248-Departmental-briefs-on-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 103

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Illegal Inmigration

Role of Garrison

IMMIGRATION CONTROL AND REFUGEES

Strict

18. More than a million immigrants and refugees have entered

Hong Kong from China since 1950, Because other countries

have refused to accept Chinese immigrants and because the

refugees now constitute a substantial proportion of the popula-

tion of the Colony, the Hong Kong Government has been obliged

to follow a policy of integrating them into the community.

19. Since 1950 the Hong Kong Government has found it necessary

to restrict entry from the mainland and the quote for legal

immigration from the Kwangtung Province is fifty a day.

measures are taken against illegal immigration from China but

because of the Colony's geographical situation it is impossible

to maintain complete control. The Chinese border authorities

maintain a tight control on their side of the frontier and

there have been several incursions in recent months by small

parties of Chinese civilians from the mainland into British

territory in search of illegal emigrants from China. No

attempt is made by the Hong Kong authorities to seek out and

return those who succeed in entering the Colony undetected.

But illegal immigrants who are intercepted are normally

returned to Ching in accordance with international practice

when enquiries have failed to reveal any good reason why they

should not be so returned.

DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY

20. Hong Kong could not be defended against a determined

Chinese attack except perhaps by the use of nuclear weapons.

There are no plans for the reinforcement of Hong Kong against

external attack and the external role of the Garrison is to

Local opinion, while probably under

"identify aggression".

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/ no illusion ...